Laurel and her Dogs

Ari - Brita - Jake - Josephine - Kobie - Olivia - Teddy - Tori

Welcome!! This is a journal about my dogs and what we do.All my dogs have their own websites that you can see by clicking their photo in the sidebar. Jake's site is the most active right now with new posts. This site is a work in progress and has become a source of information. When asked a question I would write a post to answerit which led to a post to summarize the questions. Check the sidebar for this type of information.

Saturday, December 23, 2017

I believe I was visited a few years ago by the spirits of the dogs in the cover photo to help me write this poem because I certainly couldn't have done it by myself.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Jake and Brita were searching for not just a mouse. Their stockings were hung by the fridge with care, In hopes that mom Laurel would willingly share.

In just a short time they were snug in their beds, While visions of chipmunks danced in their heads. It wasn't just chipmunks they dreamed of that night, But also the rabbits who they made take flight.

In a short time there arose such a clatter They jumped from the couch to see what was the matter. And there to their wondering eyes did appear The spirits of others that used to live here.

First, there was Josie who made the most noise, Chasing the others, especially the boys. But Ari and Teddy would not let her run Because they decided she'd stifle their fun.

Tori was circling to see what to do When Kobie and Liver quickly ran through. Then they ALL came together to join in a song While Brita and Jake, wide eyed, looked on.

The message they brought on that night of a birth Was of PEACE and GOOD WILL to all on the earth. This message was clear to those who would listen, As clear as the snow which often would glisten.

And then, in the distance, was the sound of a whistle And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But they were heard to exclaim as they flew out of sight, "Peace to all of God's creatures, and to all a good-night!"

Average jump at the Fair was about 14 feet which was close to the top of the Junior division without going over it. This earned Jake an invitation to the World Championship in November in Dubuque Iowa!!

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

It's a skunk... it's smelly! I took a pitchfork and hoisted it over the fence at the end of the yard. Brita needed a bath with peroxide, baking soda and dish detergent! I couldn't get to sleep so got up about 1 to go to the bathroom and she went out. After a bit I heard her barking at the end of the yard. A bit later I smelled skunk and immediately got up to close doors so Jake couldn't get out. Went back to be and then thought I should close doors so she can't get in! Apparently she brought to about 40 feet from the back of the house and the smell came in the window and Jake and I had to sleep in the living room because it was so bad! It's been an eventful day!

Here is the secret recipe that WORKS. Mix the following:

1 quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide

1/4 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)

1 teaspoon liquid soap or dish detergent

Mix these together and bathe ("shampoo" in or rub down) the spray victim thoroughly.

Be sure to use this mixture immediately after it is created, as it is unstable.

Let sit for five minutes and rinse with tap water afterward, and repeat if necessary.

For spray in the eyes, flush with water as soon as possible.

If you can't go to all of the trouble of buying hydrogen peroxide at your local drug store, then a 2% vinegar solution will help a bit. But please, don't bother with the old tomato juice tactic unless you want to smell like skunk + tomato.

Here are some additional tips:

Flush the eyes first, with a turkey baster, or garden hose, or just by pouring water out of a cup.

Before washing, wear rubber dish gloves and old clothes, and if possible, wash the dog outside.

Don't rinse the dog wet first. This solution will work better if applied directly and concentrated. The skunk spray is actually somewhat oily, and the detergent in the dish soap will help break up the oils.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Winnegamie Dog Club always does a wonderful job of acknowledging members' achievements by adding AKC titles to a perpetual plaque and awarding certificates for other wins and achievements. Last year was Jake's year in Barn Hunt Association, LLC so he added a list of titles to his plaque and had a pile of certificates awarded to him! I'm so proud of him and he truly lives up to his nickname "Rock Star Jake"!

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

What to do on the day after the first snow storm of the season?? Go swimming! This is our first visit of many I hope. The goal is therapeutic swimming to maintain Jake's and Brita's muscles and also for fun we'd like to do some Dock Diving!!

Saturday, November 22, 2014

OK… follow me on this… the container in the pictures was upside down where Jake is standing in the first picture. When we went out in the yard Jake KNEW there was something underneath it so was fixated on it. Brita and I walked by and he was digging away. As Brita and I get to the other end of the yard I started calling and whistling for Jake because I wanted him to get some running in but he didn’t come. ok.. I figure hunting won which usually doesn’t happen.

As we head back to the house we see and pass by the upside down container about 4 feet away from where it was when he was digging. I figured he got something and is somewhere in the yard with it recalling one time that he took about 30 minutes to eat a rabbit. More calling… no Jake. Then it dawns on me…. he took whatever it was he got into the house! (eewww… recalling the rabbit, squirrel, dove, and possum) So …..Brita and I walk into the garage, through the first floor, down through the basement and out to the garage …. no Jake.

As we head back out to the yard and pass by the container I said to Brita “what’s under there” as I lifted the corner up. Much to her delight a LIVE mouse runs out… (temporarily live mouse) so now Brita is very interested and I’m wondering what really is under there.

A note here… Both dogs were outside barking early this morning and there have been wayward possum and probably other critters in the yard in the past so I really wasn’t sure.

AND THEN IT HIT ME! JAKE IS UNDER THE CONTAINER!

So we lifted a side up and yup… out he comes! Somehow when he was digging it out it flipped over on him – 4 feet away! How do things like that happen anyway!?!?

So here’s the lesson. What if this would have happened when I was away. He was not indicating at all that he was there and was simply waiting to be rescued. What if it had been summer and hot…. that I hate to think about. We walked by it several times and he never moved and Brita paid no more attention to it than she did any other time we passed it. IT IS NOT THAT HEAVY and he could have at any time simply stood up! What a goof he can be but it sure is scary at the same time!!